Prague or Krakow or Budapest: Which City to Visit?

Many travellers planning a trip to Central Europe don’t have necessarily an unlimited amount of time to visit every city that might be on their wish list. But if you can’t visit every iconic city, it can be tough to decide whether to spend time in Budapest, Krakow or Prague.

In general, choose Prague if you want to explore a compact, fairytale-like historic centre and to drink some of the best beer in Europe. Krakow is great for history buffs wanting to explore one of Poland’s best-preserved old towns. Finally, choose Budapest to explore a gorgeous city with a big, metropolitan vibe and a unique nightlife.

To help make your decision easier, I’ve outlined the accessibility, things to do, cuisine, nightlife, and affordability in all three of these cities.

Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is easily the most touristed city on this list, with tens of millions of people visiting the Czech Capital each. This is no surprise, as Prague’s Bohemian charms and imposing Gothic architecture are enough to lure anyone to this picturesque city.

Michael and I lived here for a couple of years, so we have an intimate knowledge of this gorgeous city away from the tourist crowds – and we certainly have a soft spot for it.

Accessibility

Daily trains from nearby cites like Berlin, Munich and Vienna run multiple times per day and journeys take, on average, about 4 – 5 hours. There are a couple of direct trains per day from Budapest, including a night train, which takes about seven hours all in. There are no direct trains from Krakow, save for an overnight train where the journey time is roughly nine hours.

Prague also has an international airport, which serves most major European and international airlines.

Once in Prague, it is exceptionally easy to get around the city. The Czech capital has an excellent public transportation system that can take you everywhere you need to go in a matter of minutes. This consists of countless tram lines, a metro and buses.

The centre of Prague and the old town is very walkable and you can easily get around on foot, however, if you want to venture a bit further out (and you should), then you will want to hop on a tram. Keep in mind that Prague is quite a hilly city – more so than Budapest or Krakow – so this can factor into ease of getting around on foot.

Things To Do In Prague

The main attractions of Prague are all concentrated in its fairly small and walkable Old Town. Some of the highlights of the city are the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square and the Astronomical Clock, as well as a number of great museums and art galleries.

If you want to get a good feel for this city, then consider taking a walking tour of Prague in order to get some good historical context with a local guide.

It is worth keeping in mind that, especially in high tourist season, the crowds in the Old Town can be almost unbearable and it can sometimes be near impossible to cross the Charles Bridge as a pedestrian due to the concentration of people.

It can definitely be worth trying to get off the beaten path in Prague and visiting some of the lesser touristed quarters of the city.

I highly recommend getting lost in the beautiful Vinohrady neighbourhood and taking in the Art Nouveau architecture. And if you’re looking for a great chilled glass of Czech Pilsner, head to the beer garden at Riegrovy Sady – both locals and tourists love it here.

Cuisine

Czech cuisine is similar to that found in other Central European countries and possesses deep Slavic routes. This means that food in the Czech Republic is quite hearty and very meat-and-potatoes heavy.

There are a number of places in Prague where travellers can sample authentic Czech cuisine, but I would suggest heading out of the Old Town for this, where you are more likely to find food of lesser quality at inflated prices.

Prague has a large Vietnamese community and you can find excellent Vietmnaese food all over the city, as well. There are also plenty of other international options and vegetarian restaurants for those avoiding meat.

I also cannot write a bit on Czech cuisine without mentioning the Czech Republic’s most famous beverage, beer. There are countless beer gardens throughout the capital churning out some of the best beer in the world.

Affordability

Prices in Prague can vary depending on where you are in the city. In the Old Town and castle district, prices can be early 50% more than you will find elsewhere in the city.

Note that Prague is small and you can easily walk for 10 minutes away from the tourist centre to find more local-centric prices. If you do this, you’ll find that it can be an extremely affordable city to visit and on par with the other two on this list.

Where to Stay in Prague

Miss Sophie’s Downtown – Located in Prague 1 close to all of the top sites in the Czech capital, this quaint hotel is an excellent base in Prague. They offer a range of lovely rooms along with plenty of other amenities for guests to enjoy.

Grand Hotel Bohemia – If you have a bigger budget to spend, this hotel, located in the heart of the Old Town, is a great place to base yourself in Prague. They offer a range of clean and comfortable rooms, a helpful staff, and there is breakfast included in the nightly rate!

Onefam Miru – A small hostel located in the Vinohrady neighbourhood of Prague, this place is very clean and cosy with an attentive and friendly staff. It is located about twenty minutes on foot from the Old Town and very close to some nice restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Prague!

Krakow, Poland

Krakow is quickly becoming a highly sought-after European destination, attracting culture lovers, budget backpackers, and, most unfortunately, stag and hen parties alike.

As the second-largest city in Poland, the beautiful and excellently preserved Old Town boasts one of the largest town squares in Europe and a number of important cultural and historical sites.

Accessibility

Generally speaking, if you’re looking to avoid long travel times or overnight buses or trains, Krakow is much easier to reach if you’re arriving from elsewhere in Poland, where there are multiple direct bus and train connections per day from most major Polish cities.

If you’re coming to Krakow from Budapest or Prague, there are overnight trains daily and journey time for both average about ten hours.

There are more affordable night buses between Budapest and Krakow, where the journey time is around 7 hours. This is, however, not the most comfortable way to travel — I speak from experience.

Krakow also has an international airport that is well served by most major airlines. It’s worth noting that many budget airlines (such as Ryanair) fly into Katowice instead of Krakow – this is a separate city entirely and you will need to travel to Krakow from there.

Things To Do In Krakow

Krakow is quite a historically significant city and there are numerous points of interest within it. Some of the highlights include the picturesque Old Town Square, Wawel Castle, the old Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, and the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum.

There are also a few day trips that are within easy reach of Krakow, including the Wieliczka Salt Mine and, more sobering, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp.

The main tourist attractions are all fairly accessible on foot, but the city does also have an extensive tram and bus network making it incredibly easy to get around.

Cuisine

Polish cuisine is probably most famous for one thing, pierogi. And you’ll have no trouble finding these delicious Slavic dumplings in Krakow.

Much like Czech cuisine, Polish food does tend to be quite meat-heavy with large additions of potatoes and cabbage. Krakow is also where the bagel was invented, and there are many bakeries and cafes where you can sample this popular breakfast item.

International food options are also plentiful.

Affordability

Krakow can be an affordable city to visit, however, it certainly isn’t the “cheapest” big city to visit in Central Europe. It is incredibly backpacker-friendly, with many hostels including breakfast and dinner in their nightly costs.

It is possible to get affordable meals in the city, but if you’re on a tight budget it would be more advisable to stick to street stalls or fast food.

Restaurant prices, especially in the Old Town, can be on the more expensive side – for the region. Booze prices also are the most expensive of the cities covered in this article and are more akin to what one might pay in Western Europe.

Where to Stay in Krakow

Q Hotel Kraków – This hotel, located close to everything you might want to see in the city, is a great option if you’re not keen to stay in a hostel. They have a range of comfortable and clean rooms, 24-hour staff and check-in, and breakfast is included in the room rate.

PURO Krakow Kazimierz – Located in the Kazimierz neighbourhood, this trendy hotel is an excellent option for those after a bit of luxury while visiting Krakow. They have an array of great rooms to choose from along with and on-site bar and spa for guests.

Mosquito Hostel — A small hostel located a stone’s throw from the Old Town, they offer a delicious free breakfast and nightly social activities that are a great way to meet other travellers. They also have a friendly, local staff who can give great recommendations of things to do in the city.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Krakow!

Budapest, Hungary

Nicknamed “The Pearl of the Danube,” the Hungarian capital is one of the most visually stunning cities in the region. Divided in two by the Danube river, the tranquil and residential Buda side on the west bank can offer a nice escape from the vibrant and metropolitan Pest side to the east.

Accessibility

Budapest is located in north-central Hungary and is easily accessible by train or bus from most major cities in the region and other smaller cities in Hungary.

There are direct connections to and from Budapest to cities like Cluj-Napoca, Bratislava, and Vienna and also a number of overnight train and bus services (make sure to book these in advance on Omio to save money!) to cities that lie a bit farther away.

Budapest also has a large international airport that services a number of major airlines.

Due to its location and connections to other cities, Budapest is also a fantastic place to commence or end a Central or Eastern European trip. There are numerous options available as to where to go after Budapest and it is the perfect jumping-off place to explore everything that this incredible region has to offer.

Things To Do In Budapest

Those who travel to Budapest are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do, as there are myriad points of interest for any tourist. Just some of the many highlights in Budapest include the stunning Houses of Parliament, Europe’s largest synagogue on Dohány Street, the Central Market Hall, and the House of Terror Museum on the Pest side.

Sites on the Buda side include Castle Hill with is numerous museums and spectacular views, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Citadel, and the underground Hospital in the Rock.

Both sides of Budapest are also littered with thermal bathhouses, which have been an integral part of the city’s culture since the Romans colonized the region thousands of years ago.

Nightlife in Budapest is also internationally famous, most notably for its unique ruin bars. These quirky establishments generally inhabit previously abandoned buildings and can be filled with alternative art and decor.

Some of the bigger ruin bars, such as the original and most famous, Szimpla Kert, span several floors and have multiple bars within the main building.

Cuisine

Hungarian food is unique to that of other countries in the region, much like the Hungarian language itself.

Most people are familiar with goulash and chicken paprikash and notice that Hungarian food has significantly more spice and flavour than other cuisines from the region.

However, because of Budapest’s diverse population, there are a number of great international restaurants to try as well.

Affordability

Budapest is affordable to visit and can wind up being a bit less expensive than the other two cities compared here.

There are myriad budget accommodation options, including numerous cool hostels and Airbnb listings.

Eating out in a restaurant also can be quite affordable, given you avoid the more heavily touristed areas. Alcohol prices are also quite low compared to other large European cities, with some of the cheapest beer prices on the continent.

Where to Stay in Budapest

Butterfly Home Danube – This boutique hotel located in a great area on the Pest side is a fantastic place to rest your head while in Budapest. They offer a range of rooms that are suitable for couples and families alike and there is also breakfast included in the rate. 

Lavender Circus Hostel – This small hostel located on the lively Pest side is a great place to base yourself if you want to be close to all of the action in the city, but still want to get a good night’s sleep. The facilities are clean, the staff is friendly, and they offer both dorm beds and private rooms

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse other hotels in Budapest!

Prague or Krakow or Budapest? The Verdict

Budapest has a number of interesting things to do, is incredibly budget-friendly, and can easily be visited as both a stand-alone trip or as part of a longer Central or Eastern European itinerary.

Prague is a fantastic choice because it is quite accessible from some bigger Western European cities and it can be a great addition to any trip, especially to give travellers a taste of Central Europe.

The city centre is easy to navigate and you can see a lot of the city in a short amount of time. If you want to experience gorgeous medieval architecture, head to Prague.

Krakow is a city that is an excellent choice or those on a longer trip to Poland or who simply want to experience a compact and excellently-preserved old town.

There is a lot of history in the surrounding area that can be of interest to visitors, too. Of course, you can also eat your weight in pierogi – something not available in the other two cities!

It can be hard to choose between Budapest, Krakow, and Prague. All three cities are definitely worth visiting in their own right, each possessing a unique history and a number of interesting things to do.

Are you struggling to choose between these Central European cities? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!